Zantop Air Transport

Zantop Air Transport
Founded6 July 1956 (1956-07-06)
(incorporated in Michigan)
Ceased operations29 December 1966 (1966-12-29)
(renamed to Universal Airlines)
Operating basesDetroit, Michigan
Fleet sizeSee Fleet
HeadquartersInkster, Michigan
United States
FoundersLloyd Zantop
Howard Zantop
Duane Zantop

Zantop Air Transport was a United States airline incorporated in 7 July 1956 from the earlier Zantop Flying Service. It was a Part 45 carrier until 1962 when the Civil Aeronautics Board approved transfer of the operating certificate of Coastal Air Lines, making Zantop a supplemental air carrier. As a Part 45 carrier, Zantop was not a common carrier, it flew contract work for the Big Three automakers and for the Air Force Logair air freight service and with the US Navy, Quicktrans freight service up and down the Eastern Seaboard. As a supplemental, Zantop was able to hold itself out to the public as a general charter carrier. The original founders of Zantop Flying Services, the Zantop brothers, all sold their stock and resigned from the company in 1966. A name change was filed with the State of Michigan effective 29 December 1966 in the name of Universal Airlines, Inc.

The airline was based at Wayne County Airport, Inkster, Michigan.